We’ve got a few great updates for you this month, including new board members and our very first online event!

Chapter update

The board and I have been quieter than usual over the past several weeks because we have been hard at work on fleshing out what it really means to deliver on the IABC-LA “lite” plan that we shared in our last update. As a reminder, this “lite” plan puts a focus on sustainability and building a chapter that can deliver long term value to our membership.

One area where we’re going “lite” is our member events. Instead of focusing solely on time-intensive in-person events, we are moving to online events as a way to address our geographically diverse membership. We’re excited about the potential of online events to help us engage with one other.

First online event on November 18

Starting this month we’re kicking off our new “Learning Lounge” series of online member events. Several times a year, we’ll gather together from our homes and offices to learn from experts in our field, share best practices and build relationships with colleagues across Southern California.

You’re invited to our first Learning Lounge on Tuesday, November 18 from noon to 1PM. Grab some lunch and join us from the comfort of your office or home for a lively chat about “Hot Topics in Communication.”

Register for free via GoToWebinar (IABC members only).
Can’t click the link? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1846924810286651394

We’ll be facilitating a conversation about the trends and issues that are on YOUR mind, as well as sharing ideas and best practices with one another. Social, mobile, gamification – we’ll go wherever the conversation takes us. It will be a great, fun way to learn something new, get inspired or just enjoy getting to meet other communication professionals.

New board members

I’m thrilled to welcome several new members to our chapter board. Please join me in welcoming Nick, Leslie and Vinca. We do still have openings for additional volunteer board members, so if you’re interested in any of the positions below, please let me know.

  • President – Mike Spasoff, HealthNet
  • Past President – Nicole Maury, The Project Curator
  • VP Events – Dustin Alipour, Psychoanalytic Center of CA
  • VP Communications – Nick Duggan, Citrix
  • VP Social Media – Leslie Dodson, Kaiser Permanente
  • VP Member Engagement – Vinca Russell, Amgen
  • VP Finance – open
  • VP Webmaster – open

Together these board members bring exciting new viewpoints and vitally important fresh energy to build the new IABC-LA.

We’re also always looking for event and membership volunteers to help with the month-to-month work of running the chapter.  To those of you who have already contacted us with interest about volunteering – THANK YOU! As our new VP of Member Engagement, Vinca will be reaching out to you soon. If you’re interested in volunteering, please send us an email.

Thank you for your membership in IABC, and your involvement in the Los Angeles chapter. Don’t forget, please do join us for the Learning Lounge on November 18. After that, enjoy your holidays and we’ll look forward to seeing you in 2015!

Best regards,
Mike Spasoff